Beta-Glucan & Infection

Beta-glucan enhances your immune system, yielding therapeutic effects, according to beta-glucan expert Frank Jordan. Beta-glucan is a safe, powerful antioxidant that helps your immune system cope with fungus, bacteria, viruses, parasites and radiation, according to an interview Jordan gave to the Immunition Report. Beta-glucan also helps to speed up response to infection, leading to faster healing, according to a team from the Department of Surgery at Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University.

Maintain a healthy immune system.

History

Beta-glucan comes from yeast, but any harmful yeast products have been removed. More than 60 years of scientific research confirms beta-glucan to be a safe and a potent immune system enhancer, according to research conducted by Harvard Medical School and the University of Nevada School of Medicine. Taking beta-glucan can help immune cells to navigate to the site of an infection, according to the team from Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University.

Significance

We each have a complex immune system designed to protect us against disease, infection and aging. In this sense, aging is defined as having a lowered immune system, which makes us more susceptible to infection. According to Jordan, your immune system will do more to protect you from all intrusions into the body than pharmaceutical prescription drugs will. Jordan considers beta-glucan to be like fuel for your body.

Function

An enhanced immune system, which Jordan says you can achieve with beta-glucan, can help with the effects of aging, such as infection and stress. Boosting the immune system also will help with chronic illnesses, colds and flu, arthritis, diabetes, skin disorders, cancer, heart conditions, high cholesterol, lung disorders, allergies, asthma, transplants, environmental hazards from work, school or airplane travel, radiation treatment or attacks caused by bacteria or parasites.

Types

Jordan says you should be prepared to pay five to 10 times more for properly processed beta-glucan. Inexpensive products probably are mostly fiber, and the ingredient listing will say beta 1,4 glucan. Buy a product that has beta 1,3/1,6 glucan.

Expert Insight

In Jordan's opinion, everyone should take beta-glucan. The amount you take is dependent on whether you take it to maintain good health or to correct a particular problem such as fighting infection. Other ways to improve your immune system are proper diet, exercise, rest and reducing stress. Beta-glucan helps especially if we fall short in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Jordan says there are no adverse affects by combining beta-glucan with pharmaceuticals, but if you have any concerns, you should ask your doctor.

References

• Interview with Frank Jordan
• Beta Glucan Shown to Speed Up Immune Response